“For Sale by Killer” earns 5/5 Contracts…Killer Fun!
I loved it! I am such a fan of Catherine Bruns’ Cookies & Chance Mystery, and her Cindy York Mystery series is just as compelling! Cindy York is a delightful character, entering the final month of her pregnancy, hoping to find the right property with the potential to make everyone rich…the seller, Forte Realty, and the soon to be six-member York family. Driving around the area she hopes to find a “For Sale by Owner” property with an owner who finds they need the professional help she can offer. Luck has her discovering just the gem she may need, a Victorian with great potential. However, after making an agreement with owner Percy Rodgers, she finds him to be a very unsuitable client, if not dangerous. He had recently been released from prison. His crime? Murdering his wife. When she finds Percy, himself a victim of murder, she dwells on his final words, “Vanessa. Loved her. I—I couldn't hurt her, not ever. Her killer—here. Had to shut me…up. Find them…please.”
Cool! The set up was very intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat with disgruntled family, in-law dynamics (with which I can identify), sibling antics, personal peril, and an “Oh, Wow!” final solution. Bruns has penned an engaging first-person narrative for this third book revisiting background without spoilers and weaving in humorous and thought-provoking dialogue. I've always said that Catherine uses “karma” well in her storytelling…bringing the hammer down on the bad guys whether as the victim or arrested as the perpetrator. Either way “karma” is a main force; although in Percy’s case, I wished for a different verdict. However, if you're going to reveal a secret not worthy of exposure, you run the risk of being silenced for good. I highly recommend this third book, and despite life has moved forward, starting with the third book is fine. But don't miss out some excellent entertainment with book 1 “Killer Transaction” and book two “Priced to Kill.”
"Disclosure: I received an ARC. However, my review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
Update 5/21/19
For me Catherine Bruns's book is well worth revisiting by listening to the audio version narrated by the talented Amy Deuchler. With her voice artistry, Amy enriches Bruns's already entertaining story performing a delightful tone for the first-person perspective of Cindy York. With a natural hint of baritone, she does very well with the several male voices, a challenge for female narrators. The engaging part is how well Amy portrays the different personalities, solemn and excited emotions, and the humor Cindy's character needs to employ as a mother of a teenager and twin boys and daughter-in-law to a monster-in-law. Excellent. Entertaining. Best way to enjoy Bruns's work.